Category: Politics & Government
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Altha Bleach Alston
1916-1963 Altha Bleach Alston was the first Black women state parole officer in New Jersey. In 1941, she supervised Black girls in Essex County after they were released from state custody. A 1941 profile said she was fond of her work which enabled her to “aid girls”. Her office was in the Newark Hall of…
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Lucye Harrington Lee
1907-2000 Lucye Harrington Lee was known as a “volunteer extraordinaire” around Newark. Connie Woodruff said, “In an age where money often motivates people Lucye is the epitome of a true volunteer.” Lucye was also social editor of the New Jersey Afro American for many years starting in 1947. At University Hospital, she was called the…
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Pamela E. Goldstein
1946- Pamela Goldstein worked in public relations for the City of Newark from at least 1976-2004, serving as Communications Director under Mayor James from 1986-2004. Pamela grew up in West Orange and attended West Orange High , graduating in 1964. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Boston University School of Public Information. Pamela…
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Kathleen P. Galop
1946-2024 Kathleen Galop was an attorney who was instrumental in preserving Branch Brook Park and founding the Cherry Blossom Festival. She served on the Essex County Parks Advisory Council and later became County Executive Historic Preservation Officer and Acting Director of the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. She was president of the New Jersey…
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Ruth Caldwell Lynn
1902-1964 Ruth Lynn was the only woman member of Newark’s Charter Study Commissioner in 1953, after being heavily involved in the Newark Citizen’s Committee on Municipal Government as vice chairman and acting chairman, advocating for a change in Newark’s government. She said, “I personally believe that Newark does not have the best form of municipal…
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Queen Elizabeth Bryant James
1924-1998 Known as “Queenie”, Queen James helped get Democrats elected, including Ken Gibson, Earl Harris, and Tom Giblin. Queenie worked for the Gibson administration for 16 years, and served as a Democratic County Committe leader, in the South Ward for 25 years. She was also: Vice Chairwoman of the South Ward Democratic Organization, Vice Chairwoman…
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Gloria Waldron Butler
1931 – 1998 Gloria Butler was a political activist in the Central Ward. She became involved in local politics in the 1950s from friendships with Irvine Turner and Timothy Still, among others. She was a Democratic committeewoman and district leader, for many years in Hayes Home and “a fixture at the polls, working tirelessly to…
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Constance Hedden Schotland
1906-1997Constance Hedden was a Board of Education member, teacher and active in civic groups. Born in Newark on James Street, Constance Hedden graduated from Barringer High in 1924 and then Dennison University, and Montclair State Teachers College, where she received a Masters in Education in 1933. She took other teaching courses at Columbia, NYU and…